When Ross Detwiler took the mound on Thursday afternoon, he essentially held the Nationals' 2012 season in his left hand. Three straight games the team's starting pitching wasn't what it had been all year, the offense had been putrid and Stephen Strasburg's name was starting to come up in the media.

Detwiler, after all, wouldn't have been pitching Game 4 if Strasburg were on the roster.

It was a lot of pressure for a 26-year-old in his first full season as a regular starting pitcher. He could have easily caved but instead pitched six stellar innings, allowing just three hits and zero earned runs to a scorching-hot Cardinals lineup.

Veteran Jayson Werth, the eventual hero with his ninth-inning walk-off homer, spoke proudly of the young lefty.

"Media can say whatever they want; we know the type of guy Ross is and what he brings to the team,” Werth said. "I said yesterday, I felt good about where we were at. I felt like Ross would handle business."Read more »

Well, I was just going to post a pro-Det message!This is what I wrote just as this post came up:============Hey all — what an amazing game. So many thoughts come to mind:1. When I first introduced my wife to baseball (25+ years ago) I told her that a "real" baseball fan is one that thinks a 2-1 game is incredibly exciting. Last night proved that, as _any_ pitch during _any_ at bat could have completely changed the game.2. Great to see so many of my "imaginary" friends at 312 last night! (Mrs Wonk is wondering if they are "imaginary" anymore! She's sorry she didn't show up till afterwards)3. Like others noted, the stadium was so loud after Werth's HR that I didn't know there were fireworks till after I got home.3. Speaking of which — after the game, we were so amped up that we went to that open-air place on Half-Street (what's it called again?), drank a few more beers, listened to the band, and danced for quite a while. (That guitarist was pretty good!)4. My parting words to some of the 312-folks (as we were all leaving to take our seats) were: "If Lannan can save the season against Atlanta, then surely Detwiler can do the same thing tonight"5. Detwiler really "stepped up". Werth, of course, will get all the headlines, but, sheesh, what can you say about Det? Our #5 pitcher out-pitched the Cards #1, and out-pitched any of our starters for the playoffs. And, I'll add, he did it while having some trouble locating his pitches. His strike-walk ratio was mediocre — which is why after only 3 hits — he threw 100+ in just six innings. And yet he still shut down the great-hitting Cards — you know, that team that scored 20 runs the prior two games.More thoughts to come . . .

I think EJax has a chance to be tonight's JZimm and if he does I think he'll do great. You can see that if you tell these stud starters to go out there and air it out you get a much different pitcher than someone who has to mix and match for 6 or 7 innings.

Whatever happens later on, I just want to say that I have loved this season from beginning to end: the April nail-biters; Ankiel's cannon; Harper stealing home; the kids putting on a show at Fenway; more catchers than Spinal Tap drummers; Lannan's return; Clippard dominating; Gio faceplanting; and that ugly, beautiful final stretch. Now we can add Werth's catch, Mattheus' two immortal pitches, Zimmermann's power relief, and the greatest at-bat in Nationals history.Yes, there have been frustrations.(Dante was one short: in the tenth circle of hell, you are condemned to an eternity of H-Rod wild pitches and Espinosa strikeouts.) But didn't those troughs push the peaks even higher?Win or lose today, this team has done itself proud, and I hope every Nationals fan can celebrate the 2012 season for what it is – a giddy triumph, seven (or even seventy-nine) years in the making.

Ghost Said a National League GM: "I hope they go down in flames. I hope it takes another 79 years before they get back to the playoffs. That's how strongly I feel about it." And that GM probably knows that the Nats will be there year after year led by a healthy and dominant Stras a situation which will prevent that GM's team from getting where he wants it to be. I could see why he is so miserable.

Re, my post at the top: I mean "strike-ball" ratio. Det threw 59 strikes and 45 balls — mediocre. But he gutted it out, and got the pitches he needed. I recall a number of Cards swinging and making outs on 1-0 and 2-0 pitches.Storen threw 26 pitches last night, and he pitched the night before. Gulp.

Even Jordan Zimmerman came out with a better mix. 7 fastballs out of 12 pitches with 3 sliders and 2 curveballs. The fastballs were clocked at 97.2 and JZ has been there before but he has never been at sliders of 91.4 before.JZim was a STUD.

On Oct 6, Boz wrote"The coming days, starting Sunday afternoon, should provide an agonizing, thrilling, exhausting level of uncertainty and tension that many sports fans don't even know exists in sports, certainly not in baseball, a game that in DC, has been a sleepy endeavor for 79 years. For relentless sensory bombardment, for hair yanking twists of fortune, for sudden utterly unexpected explosions of joy, there is nothing like playoff baseball."I feel ya BozCan you imagine what this town is going to be like if we win tonight?

All the pitchers were outstanding, including the Cards' contingent. That game would have gone to the 9th 0-0 except for an unearned Cards' run and ALR's clutch AB.It would be nice for the offense to break out and hand Gio a laugher. More likely, it will be another knock-down, drag out war of attrition. The Nats are ready.

StubHub is down to 2,681 tickets available as of a few minutes ago. At 7AM there were over 3,800 tickets.This should get well beyond 45,000 and the noise level will be nuts.Different than other teams that recycle the fan noise through their speakers, Nats Park is natural sound.

Of course he was JD, I did not mean to imply otherwise, and as I recall that called strike three to Holliday was a few inches outside. Ryan Zimmerman got burnt by the outside strike as well. I'm not saying it was not fair, it just was what it was and without it, our boys might not have done as well, that's all, no kill joy here, not today anyway.

Some random, fan-side musings from last night (taken in part from an email to a friend):It was awesome! The crowd was really into it, particularly in the late innings. Nobody wanted to leave after it ended. The PA guy was trying to drop hints: "See you tomorrow night for an exciting Game 5, Nats fans." Spontaneous "Let's go Nats" cheers were breaking out on the concourse as we walked out, and in the Metro station. Easily my fave in-person game ever. I hope I have some voice left, as we bought tix via StubHub for tonight. My husband and I both woke up at some point in the night, and I croaked out a "Let's go, Nats." He laughed and went back to sleep. I tried to go back to sleep (I was just a tad bit amped).At the game, sat in the RF corner with a friend. Pretty fun group in that section. In front of us were a lady (mom) and two young boys (maybe 9 or 10?), an older girl, and an older lady. At one point early in the game, after some nice play or other, one kid turned to me and extended his glove hand (of course he brought his glove). "High five," he said. I did. He would also turn periodically and instruct me to wave my towel. I did. The kids had several very nice signs they'd made, and they held them up at various points in the action. Each of the boys scored a baseball over the course of the game. Mom was keeping score, including ball-strike counts for each at-bat (I'm not quite at that level). After the game ended, we all high-fived, and the girl said to me "good cheering." Thanks, dear, I try to do my part to help out the team.Behind us was a Phils fan who was rooting for STL and SFO to lose (bad postseason memories). He also heckled Beltran a bit (in a light-hearted way) and noted all the ex-Phils who were making contributions in division series (Ibanez, Pence, and, later, Werth). Speaking of Werth, I did kinda yell out that we needed a walkoff as he trotted from his position in the middle of the 9th. Doubt he heard me, though. It was kinda loud there. :-)Riding home on the train, I overheard someone asking about the game, and someone else telling them that the Nats had scored in the bottom of the 9th and won. I turned and noted that it was on a Jayson Werth walkoff. The elderly gentleman behind me, nodded and said that yes, it was. We chatted for a bit before I realized, after seeing his granddaughter in Cardinals gear (which he did not have visible under his plain jacket), that he was a Cards fan. I then apologized for making my Werth point and said that I wasn't trying to rub it in but thought he'd been the one asking about the game result. He said something to the effect of, not at all, I understand. We then had a nice chat about our teams and fandom generally. He mentioned the wildcard game trash-throwing in ATL and opined that it would never happen in STL. I agreed and complimented that fanbase. Turned out that he and his family (three generations) had driven up from southern VA for the game, the only one they'd be able to attend in the series. I said I was sorry they had that one instead of the day before, which would have been more fun for them. He thanked me and wished us luck tomorrow, uh, today. He also said that he thought the Nats were a good and very professional team. Very nice gent.

BigCat said… "Rizzo should be fired!" Who said that a couple days ago?I think among the stupidest comments were along the lines of criticism of Rizzo by saying: "Rizzo should have to take responsibility for this"Idiots! Saying "Rizzo should have to take responsibility for this" is a compliment for Rizzo! Idiots!

eddie, I don't know if Davie will want to fool around with JZimm 2 days in a row; I don't think his routine will support that. Yesterday was his throwing day anyway so it made sense. I think EJax may end up in that role tonight. If Gio can go at least 6 innings we can go Matheus, Clip, Storen but if we need someon earlier it just might be Ejax.

I can vouch for Wonk's premonition about Detwiler being the Lannan of October. Well played Sir. JD– Good point about E-Jax. I don't think we'll see JZnn today, as much as he'd like to go out there I'm sure, because even though it's all hands on deck, Davey needs to think ahead just a little bit. We need someone to be the NLCS Game 1 starter on Sunday and Gio obviously won't be available. E-Jax would be on short rest on Sunday. But E-Jax can pitch an inning today, like JZnn did yesterday, in lieu of his bullpen session, and be ready to start on Monday. Following the StubHub market is fun. The game ended at 7:04 pm if I'm not mistaken. My remaining 2 tickets for today sold at 7:11 pm.

Sec 222, You know; when we clinched the division title I said to myself that I am done with the stress for this year; that everything from now on is gravy. Well; I lied. I am totally stressed. I have tickets for the 1st 2 NLCS games and a hotel room for 3 nights and I will be a little devastated if I don't get to go.

OK, so here's my premonition wish for tonight:The Nats made it to 2-2 with almost no offense. (Just like, say, the month of April and half of May).The pitching carried us thus far in the playoffs. So now it's time for the offense to break out (just like, say, the entire second half of the season)!Although, otoh, I can hedge and say: but I'll take an old-fashioned April-style win, too — the mantra I kept repeating over and over again: great pitching and just enough hitting.GYFNG!

I don't think Davey is gonna change anything but I would go with Moore in LF and Lombo at 2B today. Morse looks tired. Bat is slow, getting jammed a lot. Espi is Espi….a strike out machine. Hard to put up with that in pressure packed post season.

peric said… Werth has sufficient power to be scary at leadoff but he isn't Tyler Moore. _____________________________________I'm glad you recognize that now and note that Jayson sees himself as a leadoff man as his job is to get on base.In extra innings, he changed to Bull Moose Mode.

BigCat–He isn't going to swap Lombo for Espi because of the D. Lombo's fine, but he doesn't have the range. I said before the series that Espi could K five times a game but he'll save those runs back in the field. Plus, let's face it, Danny will be with us next year and Lombo might not be.Now, about Morse/Moore: Moore is as much a liability in LF as Morse, and less experienced. Davey hasn't even used Bernadina as a late-inning replacement, he used him as a PH early in a couple of games. I agree Morse looks tired–or something. Supposedly he asked Davey if he could swap spots with Desi, don't know if that was a serious request or just kidding around.

If ALR is considered to be the most valuable player by the guys, how does Rizzo not ask him back beyond the option? Fix RZ's shoulder, he can play at least three more years at 3B. This infield rocks, and Danny will get better on offense.(1) Make the qualifying offer to Jackson. He might take it, then we are set for the rotation. Non-tender Lannan and see who in the system (Perry, Myer et al) shows what in spring training as the backup/6th starter. (2) If Jackson doesn't take the offer, then you package some guys in a Gio-like trade or spend some money for an FA pitcher. Pitching is still the absolute priority. We were unbelievably lucky that none of our starters (except Stras and CMW) got injured. After pitching, then you work on the outfield and bench. The Diamondbacks have extra outfielders and need infield help. I still can't believe they let Stephen Drew go (lack of patience).

If Davey didn't change the lineup last night with the season on the line, he sure isn't going to change it tonight. I think Morse's suggestion was sincere, but Davey rightfully said no thanks. As one of the beat writers or Boz pointed out, he likes Desi and Espi to be together in the lineup. They are both speed and power guys who can make things happen on the basepaths if necessary. Kind of like Werth followed by Harper. We showed last night we can win a game even with the offense still asleep. Tonight we get a second shot at Wainwright. Hopefully the guys learned something last time and will be ready to tatoo him.

It's true that Espi has struggled, but let's not forget that it's a game of inches. Danny hit one deep to right yesterday, I believe in the fifth inning, sending Beltran to the back of the warning track. That ball goes six more feet and he's the hero this morning. And he also had a sure thing triple in St. Louis robbed my Jay's amazing catch. Plus let's also remember that for all of Detwiler's "brilliance" yesterday, he wasn't striking guys out. He was relying on ground balls, and if you're relying on ground balls, you want Espi manning second base.

A few things after WHAT. A. GAME! to watch, let alone be there in person! I clapped so much I had to put aloe on my raw hands when I got home.My post from 8:48 am yesterday morning on the "Backs against the wall" thread:Det — stopper of the 5-game losing streak in late August. He CAN do this. Will he, is a test in part of McCatty's helping with mental preparation.He was even better than I think any of us could hope he would be.Great to meet and hang with so many non-imaginary friends. For so many of us to have hung together in all those painful seasons, this season and postseason is an amazing bonding experience. I hope that by meeting face-to-face, we can make this even more of a community of (mostly) mutual respect and personal consideration from here. I know I'll try to keep that in mind, and hope the very very few who seem to be happy only when they're negative and vitriolic will try to as well. FOR TODAY: Just looked back at the play-by-play from the August 31 Gio vs. Wainwright game here at Nats Park. We won 10-0 and apart from our last two runs scored on a Zim dinger in garbage time, every one of our other runs (eight) was driven in on a single. And we knocked Wainwright out after only 2 2/3 innings on 7 singles, 2 doubles (tho one, by Werth, was stranded), and 3 walks.Check it out (sorry for the non-embedded link):http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_08_31_slnmlb_wasmlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=was#gid=2012_08_31_slnmlb_wasmlb_1&mode=playsI hope our hitters take a lesson from that and take what Wainwright makes available, NOT what several of them seem to have in their minds when they come up to the plate. Think of that — we scored 8 runs (6 vs Wainwright), ALL on RBI singles.

MichelleS and other NI's who I have met or haven't. It is very important that I get to see a playoff game and that can't happen unless we win Tonight!!Whatever mojo, superstition, or magic you have used up to now needs to come through. Thanks in advance.I will hopefully see everyone on Sunday in 312 and make up for my absence this week.Go Nats!!! Score First!! Win Tonight!!

Okay, sjm, we'll do our best. You all know the drill for tonight: picnic tables behind 312 about an hour before game time. There will be a small Insider sign (written on the back of one of those giveaway handheld fans) on the table. sjm, will hope to see you Monday (I don't have Sunday tix).

I said before the series that Espi could K five times a game but he'll save those runs back in the fieldIndeed. And when you said that, I went to Fangraphs and backed you up on that: Espi had something like the second highest WAR on the team, despite a negative batting WAR! Because his fielding WAR was stratospheric.

I hope you guys are right about Espi. But I am just over seeing him strike out with a man on 3rd with less than 2 outs. I am also over him swinging at curveballs that bouce 3 feet in front of the plate. Hopefully….hopefully, this game won't come down to him batting in the late innings with the tying or winning runs on base. He also had a big error on Wed.

Section 222 said…If Det comes up big and the Nats win, just think how much fun reading this blog will be for the 24 hours from 8 pm tonight until 8 pm tomorrow.October 11, 2012 1:39 PM Well, there's one prediction I got right this year. Keep bringin' it folks!

BigCat, You are focusing on Espi but the Nats have gotten nothing from: Harper,Morse and Suzuki as far as offense. It's a streaky game as Bowdenball pointed out Espi has hit a couple of balls on the screws and could very easily be sitting on a triple and a home run.

Interesting stat from MLB TV last night, regardsing Jayson's HR. JWerth at 14 dingers in 48 post-season games is ahead of Larry of the Braves at 12 in 93 games and just behind Big Albert, formerly of the Cards in about 73 post-season games. Can we say clutch about Jayson Werth???

I have to hand off the car keys to my husband so he can store his luggage — he's coming straight from the airport so I won't be able to meet you at 312, unless his plane is very early or very late. On SUNDAY, though…sjm, we will take care of our part of the win.I am now on board with Danny at second, and Lombo off the bench. Thanks for the stats on that.

Should Cunegonde and I wear our red jerseys or our blue ones to the Virginia Opera's performance of Georges Bizet's "Les Pecheurs Dr Perles" tonight?Curtain time is 8:00, so a three-hour performance should get us back to the car and Charlie and Dave during the late innings…

I can feel myself in the middle of a slow transition from the wonder of last night to the job of tonight. Will we be happy either way it turns out? Now that we have the ability to win the series, I am not content to lose this game… now that we've had the joy Boz describes for one game, I really want to feel that for a whole series.What a joy it's been to be a fan of this team. Let's take it to 'em.

Nats Lady @ 12:21– hmm, I should have thought of that. I did wear my Gio t-shirt on Sunday, which I guess was at least partially successful.But I wore my Desi t-shirt last night in honor of his all-around, all-star quality playoff performance. Almost backfired (I know, /facetious) but he grabbed back with that phenomenal catch in the ninth the run he gave away in the third, so it's all good. I packed the Desi shirt to work today, and will justify it by noting that I wore it to the win last night at Nats Park not watching it on TV. ;-)The knots we tie ourselves into! Ain't it fun?Also, Jane, I didn't know you and Scooter knew each other from RHT! I described our mutual connection from there with Scooter last night. Hope we'll see you at a 312 meet-up soon!

See? I told you I needed a nap. I think sec3 owes Feel Wood a beverage.Feel Wood said… If you wear the same clothes but launder them, it doesn't count. Women. Geez. October 12, 2012 12:51 PM Section 3, My Playoffs Sofa said… Wait, you washed them?? What were you thinking? October 12, 2012 12:54 PM